Combined brake and stabilizer control



May 21, 1946.

E. w. BARNHART 2,400,803 COMBINED BRAKE AND STABILIZER CONTROL Filed Aug. 21, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 21, 1946.

lllllljlllllllllliimmillllllllllllljllllfl E; W. BARNHART I COMBINED BRAKE AND STABILIZER CONTROL Filed Aug. 21, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 21, 1946 COIWBINED BRAKE AND CONTROL Edgar W. Barnhart, Mario General Excavator Co corporation of Ohio STABILIZER n, Ohio, assignor to The mpany, Marion, Ohio, a

Application August 21, 1944, Serial N 0. 550,456

11 Claims.

This invention relates to portable self-propelled cranes, hoists or excavators and in its more specific aspects is directed to a device for stabilizing the chassis thereof during periods of operation.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a more flexible and efllcient construction for stabilizing the chassis of a portable self-propelled hoist or related device during its period of hoist operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide outrigger jacks with a control device operable from the operator's station.

Another object of the invention is to a hydraulic control for portable self-propelled hoist that are interlocked with the brakes of the hoist chassi Another and further object of the invention is the provision of means in the interconnected jacks and brake circuits whereby either the jacks or brakes may be selectively or Jointly operated.

Another and still further object of the inven tion is, to provide an interlocked outrigger jack and brake control on a portable self-propelled hoist in which the controls are arranged at and in proximity to the operator's station.

Other objects are to increase the flexibility of control, stability of the chassis during periods of hoist or crane operation, reduce the number of operating parts and the maintenance cost of the device.

Other and further objects of the invention will occur to those skilled in the arts to which this invention pertains as the description proceeds which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, sets forth a preferred embodiment of the invention but such disclosure is not to be construed as a limitation of the invention which is limited only by the appended claims andany and all modifications, alterations and variations provide of structure coming within the spirit and scope thereof are deemed to be included herein.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a chassis incorporating the invention.

Figure 2 shows a side'elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 shows a front elevational view thereof.

Figure 4 shows a rear elevational view thereof.

Figure 5 shows a vertical sectional view of a hydraulic jack taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 shows a vertical sectional view through the center shaft taken along the line 6.6 of Figure 1.

the outrigger jacks of a Figure 7 shows a vertical sectional view through the pressure fluid coupling.

Portable cranes and. hoists have in the prior art been equipped with various stabilizing devices manually operated to prevent tipping or rocking of the chassis during periods when a heavy load is being handled by the boom or other load handling apparatus mounted in the upper body of the crane or hoist. These screw jacks usually require considerable personal are of the conventional screw variety carried on the chassis and are sometimes detachable. This invention seeks to reduce the length of time required to stabilize the chassis and render the jacks operable from any rotative position of the upper body with respect to the chassis. In order to increase the stability of the chassis and reduce the number of parts, the stabilizers are operable by the same source of power as the brakes and to still further increase the flexibility of control, the

- jacks ;and chassis brakes may be severally or jointly operated by the same source of power.

The above objects and advantages are achieved in a device in which I is the frame of a chassis on which a supporting plate 2a is fixed above which the deck or platform element 2 of the conventional upper body is rotatably mounted. This is conventional in the arts and, therefore, no detailed description is deemed necessary although a schematic illustration of the relationship of the parts is shownin Figure 6.

On the forward end of the chassis an axle 3 is pivotally mounted on a pin 4 secured in a housing 5 to which a vertical king pin 6 is secured erative relation with chassis I. Axle 3 pivots about pin 4 in order that pneumatic wheels 8 may pivot in order to hold chassis I substantially level regardless of undulations in terrain as shown e. g. by the dotted line in Figure 3.

The rear end of the chassis I is supported on a rigid axle 9 having pneumatic or rubber tired wheels l0 thereon which are driven by chain devices H and I2 disposed around sprocket wheels, one of which is indicated at l3 in Figure 2. Sprocket wheels, such as l3, are secured to shafts extending from a transmission arranged within a housing l4. Power is Supplied to the aforesaid transmission by way of power transmitting element l5 which is operatively associated with the gear l6 secured to center shaft II. This shaft is 2. The wheel and axle assembly 9 and I is rigidly associated with the chassis frame I, and pivoted axle 3 is intended to keep the chassis frame I substantially level when the wheels are resting on undulating terrain as shown in Figure 4.

Supported above center shaft H in a housing 2| on deck 2 is a pressure fluid coupling having a central core element 23 supported on a tubular element 24. Tubular element 24 is held in position vertically and against rotation relative to chassis frame I by being suitably secured at its lower end to the chassis frame. The external frame or casing 25 forms a part of and is rigidly associated with housing 2| and is, therefore, rotatable with respect to core 23. The core 23 is secured to tubular element surrounding core 23 are a plurality of perforated channeled rings 21, 28 and 29 shown as three in number, each of which connects internally with its individual duct 30, only one of which is shown, formed in the core and which connects with a conduit 3| leading to some pressure fluid operated device. Each of conduits 32, 33, and 34 is connected to an appropriate source of pressure fluid supply mounted on the deck. Each of the rings 24 by bolts 26 and 21, 28 and 29 is separated by appropriate packj lugs to prevent leakage from one ring or duct to the other, it being understood that there are as many ducts 3|) in core 23 as there are rings and each is connected by means of ducts 32, 33 and 34 to the source of pressure fluid supply. A screw means 35 is provided for the purpose of taking up slack caused by distortion and wear in the packing rings 21, 28 and 29.

Attention is invited to the fact that the foregoing illustrates a method by which different pressure fluid lines may be led from the rotatable deck to pressure fluid operable devices mounted on the chassis. One such device is the motor 36 used to.-.steer the portable hoist or crane and the othersisthe pressure fluid brake actuating devices 31, 38, 39 and 40. As many devices as necessary may be provided, it being only necessary to provide the necessary number of ducts as for the individually operated devices. Suitable control valves (not shown) may be connected to ducts 32, 33 and 34. These are intended to be conventional structures and their particular organization is not of importance to Brake actuating means, asindicated above, are provided for each of the wheels and in the instant case are pressure fluid actuated. Those for the forward wheels 6, 8 are disposed in proximity to the wheels. Those for the rear wheels are fixed to the frame I and by means of rods associated with the actuating devices operate the brakes disposed within the wheels III, II).

The means for stabilizing the frame I while a hoisting operation is being performed comprises a. plurality of pressure fluid operated jacks distributed about the chassis of the hoist operable from the operator's station and in any rotative position of deck 2 relative to the frame I. The frame I has fixed thereto at the rear a transverse member 43 whose length is considerably greater than the width or the frame to the ends of which pressure fluid jacks 44 and 45 are secured. Substantially midway the instant disclosure.

of frame I, and preferably disclosed device is though not necessarily. in proximity to the rotational axis of deck 2, two outrigger booms or arms 46 and 41 are pivotally mounted, one on each side of frame I. The outriggers 46 and 41 are pivotally mounted on frame I by means of pivots 48 and 49. On the outer end of these outriggers, pressure fluid jacks 50 and 5| are mounted.

During periods of non-use the outrigger booms 46 and 41 are reposing adjacent frame I as e. g. shown by the full line position of boom 41. In order that the booms 46 and 41 may be held in retracted or in extended condition, braces 52 and 53 provide the two positions which are illustrated in Figure 1.

The front end of the chassis is stabilized by mounting two pressure fluid jacks 54 and 55 on each side of the frame, the movable elements of which engage the axle 3 and keep the chassis frame I substantially horizontal. In order for the two forward jacks 54 and 55 to be operable it is necessary that the axle 3 be in a position 4,

such that it is at right angles to frame particularly shown in Figure 1.

Each of the pressure fluid jacks comprises a cylinder 56 in which a piston or plunger 51 is reciprocably mounted. The cylinder 56 is counterbored to receive packing 58 which is held in place in the counterbore by closure element 59. The flange 6| on cylinder 56 is suitably apertured to receive a plurality of bolts 6|) which extend through the flange portion of closure element 59. Nuts 62, 62 retain the closure element 59 in any adjusted position and serve to take up wear in packing 53 whenever necessary. Plunger or piston 51 has an arm or bracket 19 welded thereon which extends on opposite sides of the jack through which two bolts and 8| extend. These bolts also extend through flange 6| on cylinder 56. Springs 82 and 83 (Figure 2) are arranged on bolts 80 and 8| and engage with the heads on bolts 80 and BI and also engage the flange 6| on cylinder 56. The function of springs 82 and 83 is to retract plunger 51 when no pressure fluid is admitted to cylinder 56 of each of the respective pressure fluid operated iacks.

Pressure fluid for operating jacks 44, 45, 60, 5|, 54, and 55, as well as brake elements 31, 38, 39. and 40 originates in a pressure fluid supply (not shown) mounted on deck 2 and after passing an appropriate control valve enters conduit 32 which transmits it through perforated ring 28 into duct 30 through conduit 30a connected thereto'and thence into conduit 3|. Conduit 3| terminates in a valve 63 to which conduit 64 is connected that branches into conduits 65 and 66 terminating in brake devices 33 and 40, each of which has a suitable operating motor (not shown) associated therewith. Another conduit 61 branches off from conduit 64 which branches into conduits 68 and 63 terminating in motors (not shown) associated with the brake elements 31 and 36.

Branching oil from conduit 3| is another conduit having a valve 12 therein that is connected to a conduit 13 which terminates in pressure fluid jacks 56 and 5|. This conduit may have flexible portions therein or may be made entirely of flexible material to accommodate pivoted outrigger booms or arms 46 and 41. Conduits 14 and 15 take off from conduit 13 and terminate at the forward pressure flui jacks 54 and 55 and conduit 16 branches into conduits 11 and 16, each of which terminates in pressure fluid jacks 44 and 45.

The operation of Ior as the jacks and brakes on the possible in any rotatlve position or deck 2 relative to frame I by reason of coupling 22. Pressure fluid for operating them is admitted into conduit 32 and then is led to the lower conduit 3| through ring 28, duct 30 and passageway 30a. From conduit 3| it is distributed to the several brakes 31, 38, 39 and 40 through conduits 64, 65, 66, 61, 68 and 69. Pressure fluid is also distributed to the several jacks l4, 45, 50, 5|, 54 and 55 through conduits ll, 13, 14, 15, 16, I1 and 18. Valves 63 and I! determine whether the jacks and brakes will be operated jointly chassis; a pair of pressure fluid jacks mounted on or severally from the pressure fluid supply on deck 2. In the event the plunger of the jacks on outrigger booms 46 and I1 and on member 43 fail to reach ground or any surface, suitable blocking is inserted thereunder. It is, therefore, evident that the jacks may be simultaneously operated with the brakes or either one alone and that they can be controlled by the crane operator requiring a smaller number of attendants and enabling a higher degree of mobility. The pressure fluid jacks can be quickly operated and the hoist or crane stabilized in only a fraction of the time ordinarily taken. The joint or several actuation of brakes and jacks enables the operator to secure any degree of stability desired ranging from the use of brakes alone to the joint use of brakes and jacks. As previously pointed out, the normal operative position of outrigger booms or arms 46 and I1 is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of frame I.

That which is regarded novel and useful and which is sought to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. In a portable crane or hoist; a chassis; a deck rotatably mounted on said chassis; a set of brakes for said chassis; a set of stabilizing jacks for said chassis; arm means on said chassis supporting some of said jacks constructed and arranged to position them at varying distances from said chassis; means on said deck to enable pressure fluid to be delivered to said jacks and to said brakes; and valve means to selectively apply pressure fluid to said jacks and brakes or to either brakes or jacks to thereby stabilize said chassis.

2. In a portable crane or hoist; a chassis; a deck rotatably mounted on said chassis; a set of pressure fluid operated brakes for said chassis; a set of pressure fluid operated jacks for said chassis; arm means on said chassis supporting some of said jacks constructed and arranged to position them at varying distances from said chassis;

vcineans totransmit pressure fluid to said jacks and brakes from any rotative position of said deck relative to said chassis; and valve means to cause joint or several operation of said jacks and brakes to stabilize said chassis.

3. In a portable material handling device; a chassis; a deck rotatably supported on said chassis; pivoted outrigger arms on said chassis; a set of pressure fluid operated brakes for said chassis; a set of pressure fluid operated jacks on said chassis, at least two of which are mounted on said the front end of said chassis whose plungers are engageable with the front axle of said chassis; an outrigger arm mounted on each side of said chassis having a pressure fluid lack mounted'on the ends thereof; a. member mounted on the rear end of said chassis having hydraulic jacks mounted on the ends thereof; pressure fluid operated brakes on said chassis; a hydraulic coupling on said deck to transmit pressure fluid to said jacks and brakes in any rotative position of said deck relative to said chassis; a conduit connected to said coupling for transmitting pressure fluid therefrom to said brakes and jacks; and valves operable by the operatorto enable the joint or several operation of said brakes and jacks to stabilize said chassis.

6. In a portable material handling device; a chassis; means to rotatably support a deck on said chassis; and means to stabilize said chassis during hoisting operations of .the device which includes a set of pressure fluid operated brakes for said chassis, a set of hydraulic jacks for said chassis; arm means on said chassis supporting some of said jacks constructed and arranged to position them at varying distances from said chassis; and means to selectively jointly or severally apply pressure fluid to said brakes and jacks.

7. In a portable self-propelled material handling device; a chassis; a deck; means to rotatably mount said deck on said chassis; a set of pressure fluid operated brakes for said chassis; a plurality of pressure fluid operated jacks distributed about said chassis some of which engage other parts of said chassis and some of which are engageable with the supporting surface of the device; arm means on said chassis supporting some of said jacks constructed and arranged to position them at varying distances from said chassis; a common pressure fluid supply line for said brakes and jacks which includes a; coupling adapted to,supply pressurefluidto -said brakes and-"jacks" in -a-ny rotative' position "of said deck .relative to said chassis; and valve means to selectively jointly or severally apply pressure fluid to said jacks and brakes to stabilize said device.

8. In aportable self-propelled material handling device; a chassis; a deck; journal meansto rotatably support said deck on said chassis;

pivoted outrigger arms; means to supply pressure pressure fluid operated brakes for said chassis; a plurality of pressure fluid operated jacks for said chassis; arm means on said chassis supporting some of said jacks constructed and arranged to position them at varying distances from said chassis; a pressure fluid coupling fixed concentrically with respect to said journal means adapted to transmit pressure fluid in any rotative position of said deck relative to said chassis; a first conduit disposed concentrically of said journal means; a second conduit having branches that connect said brakes and said jacks as separate units; and valve means associated with said branches to selectively jointly or severally apply pressure fluid to said jacks and brakes to there- -by stabilize said device while handling material.

9. In a wheel mounted material handling device; a chassis; a deck rotatably supported thereon; an outrigger arm mounted on each side of chassis; a deck rotatably mounted on said chassis;

an outrigger arm on each side of said chassis; pressure fluid jacks on said chassis, at least two of which are on said arms; means to position said arm mounted jacks at varying distances from said chassis; a set of pressure fluid operated 2,400,803 said chassis; .a set of pressure fluid operated brakes for said chassis; and vmeans to Jointly or severally apply pressure fluid to said Jacks and said brakes to stabilize said chassis.

11. In a wheeled material handling device; a chassis; a deck rotatably mounted on said chassis; an outrigger arm on each side of said chassis; a. plurality of pressure fluid jacks on said chassis in which some of said arms; means to position said arm supported jacks at varying distances from said chassis; pressure fluid operated brakes for said chassis; means to transmit pressure fluid to said jacks and said brakes in any rotative position of said deck relative to said chassis; and valve means to Jointly or severally apply pressure fluid to said brakes and said jacks to stabilize said chassis.

EDGAR'W. BARNHART.

jacks are mounted on said 

